Polished granite and marble headstones are favoured among monumental masons, and quite often they’re the only option when visiting these establishments.  For those looking to commemorate a loved one in a unique way, these options can be oppressive and uninspiring.  As an English craftsman and traditionalist, I prefer to use predominantly British material.  It’s nicer to carve, doesn’t raise any ethical concerns around the employment practices of quarries outside of Europe and it looks much more natural in a churchyard or cemetery.  When you combine this with the lovingly hand-made aspect of the process without a computer or sandblasting machine in sight, it results in a much more considered and thoughtful memorial. It’s a much more fitting way of remembering a loved one.  

Here are some questions to ask yourself when considering what type of stone to use when you begin the commissioning process. 

What do I like?

The process of commissioning a headstone will be a new experience to many people visiting my workshop.  Having to choose what stone would be best can weigh heavy, especially for something as important as a memorial.  You may have an idea of what you like and what you don’t like already, but sometimes it takes a while to form an opinion.  Have a wander around local churchyards and cemeteries.  You might find that the lighter limestones resonate with you more than the grey slate headstones, or vice versa.  There might be one in particular you really like but it’s hard to identify.  Most people can tell the difference between slate and limestone, but maybe you wander past something you can’t quite identify.  If the stone looks like it glitters in the sun, it’s probably sandstone.  If you’re unsure, please take a picture and get in touch and I’ll try to identify it.  

Whereabouts is the headstone is going? 

The position in the churchyard or cemetery is an important factor to consider.  If an old churchyard is full of a specific local limestone, then a slate headstone might not fit in.  You might also want to consider overhanging trees if the plot is positioned directly below it.  Berries and bird droppings are likely to stain limestone and sandstone, but slate is non-porous and is resistant to any stains penetrating the surface.

How much content will be on the headstone? 

For fine detail and lots of lettering, grey and green slate is a good choice.  You can carve much smaller letters on slate and (as is customary on slate headstones) I paint the letters with a wash of hard-wearing oil-based paint.  It looks natural and you’d never know it’s been painted.  I don’t tend to paint the lettering for limestone headstones so the lettering needs to be bolder and more deeply cut than their slate counterparts so that the shadow of the V-cut letter brings the wording out naturally.   

What’s allowed and not allowed?

Churchyard and cemetery regulations can be strict and unwavering. It’s worth checking with the local authority what the specific regulations are surrounding acceptable headstone material and maximum/minimum dimensions.  If the the proposed headstone is outside of the churchyard or cemetery regulations, you might have to obtain a faculty, which is a legal document granting permission to install it.  It’s worth talking to the vicar, not least because their approval is needed if the memorial is within regulations.  But also because they’re usually very accepting of thoughtfully-considered, hand-carved headstones.  The gulf in quality between a bespoke memorial and an off-the-shelf Chinese granite headstone is plain for all to see.  Also, please don’t be tempted to take advice from church wardens.  While it is true that they do an incredibly important job, their advice concerning headstone regulations can often be inaccurate and misleading.  They are incredibly well-meaning but ultimately hold no power or authority in the process of applying for a permit to install a headstone.  

The materials I use most regularly are Cumbrian green slate, Cumbrian dark grey slate, Welsh slate, Portland limestone, York sandstone and the only non-British material called Aurisina, which is a hard limestone quarried in North-East Italy.

If you have any questions, please get in touch and I’d be happy to answer any questions.